Illuminated displays and illuminaries

ABSTRACT

A dsiplay particularly adaptable for displaying a message comprising a light-carrying body and a source of light disposed along at least one edge of the body is disclosed. The message is placed in intimate contact with one surface of the light-carrying body. A contrasting backing material is disposed about and/or behind the message and is held in remote contact with the body. The edges of the body adjacent to the sources of light are shaped such that the edges are relatively normal to the incident light rays, thus allowing most of the light to refract through, thus easily entering the body.

Aronoff ILLUMINATED DISPLAYS AND ILLUMINARIES [76] Inventor: Leonard S.Aronoff, 16751 Tupper St., Sepulveda, Calif. 91343 [22] Filed: May 15,1972 [21] Appl. No.: 253,323

Related U.S. Application Data [63] Continuation-impart of Ser. No.855,197, Sept. 4,

1969, abandoned.

[52] U.S. C1. 40/130 K [51] Int. Cl. G02b 5/14 [58] Field of Search40/130 K, 130 R [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,349,51110/1967 Aronoff 40/130 K 2,623,313 12/1952 Fuchs..... 3,497,686 2/1970Young 40/130 K 1 Dec. 25, 1973 [57] ABSTRACT A display particularlyadaptable for displaying a message comprising a light-carrying body anda source of light disposed along at least one edge of the body isdisclosed. The message is placed in intimate contact with one surface ofthe light-carrying body. A contrasting backing material is disposedabout and/or behind the message and is held in remote contact with thebody. The edges of the body adjacent to the sources of light are shapedsuch that the edges are relatively normal to the incident light rays,thus allowing most of the light to refract through, thus easily enteringthe body.

9 Claims, 23 Drawing Figures PATENTEDUEEZSIQB SHEETBUFS LJLI ILLUMINATEDDISPLAYS AND ILLUMINARIES This is a continuation-in-part of Ser. No.855,197 filed on Sept. 4, 1969 now abandoned.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The inventionrelates to lighted signs, displays, luminaries and similar devices.

2. Prior Art The prior art in edge lighted devices provides noinformation or explanation of the new phenomenon described herein withthe consequent results that none of the prior devices attain thequalities and performance produced by this invention. All of the devicesin the prior art lack some of the essential components that arenecessary for an effective illuminated display. In order to produce thedesired qualities and performance, this invention utilizes a combinationof components, and their relative application, to optimally produce thedesired improvements. Among these are:

l. A proper light transmitting body whose critical angle of reflectionis known and utilized;

2. Adequate materials for the message and their proper application tothe light transmitting body, described as intimate contact;

3. Adequate background or backing material and its proper application tothe light-carrying material to produce an optimum contrast with themessage;

4. Proper treatment of the edges of the light transmitting body foroptimum efficiency and uniformity;

5. Proper filtering materials and method of application thereof forspecific effects; and

6. The proper application of the light source with reference to themessage, background material and the edges of the light transmittingbody.

In my previous US. Pat. No. 3,349,51 l the concept of intimate contactis briefly, though inadequately, defined and discussed. This concept isamplified and its necessary relationship to the background material isemphasized in this patent. Furthermore, the method of treatment of theedges, the dispositions of light source with reference to thelight-carrying body, and their interrelationships with the backgroundmaterial is utilized in a novel way to produce an improved display.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An illuminated display adaptable for displayinga message or pattern is described comprising a lightcarrying body, asource of light disposed about at least one edge of the body, a messageor pattern which is in intimate contact with a surface of the body, anda backing material which is held in remote contact with the surface ofthe body containing the message. The edges of the body, adjacent to thesources of light are configured such that the light incident on theseedges is relatively normal to the edges. This allows substantially allthe light from the source, incident on the edge, to enter the bodyrather than be reflected away from the body.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. la illustrates a plan view of alight-carrying body and source of light and the path of light rays fromthe source into the body;

FIG. 1b is a plan cross section view through section line la- 1a of FIG.la;

FIG. 2 is a graph illustrating the intensity of illumination reflectedfrom the display material or backing material in the direction of theviewer as a function of the pressure applied to the display material andas a function of the distance maintained between a backing material andthe surface of the body;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a display comprising a light-carryingbody and sources of light;

FIG. 4 is a plan cross section view of the display of .FIG. 3 takenthrough section lines 4'4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a plan cross section view illustrating an alternate embodimentof a display;

FIG. 6 is a plan view illustrating a section of a light carrying bodyand a source of light partially enclosed within a window defined by anedge of the body;

FIG. 7 is a plan side view of the source of light and light-carryingbody of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a plan view illustrating a partial section of a light-carryingbody, a source of light enclosed within a reflector and a window definedby one edge of the body;

FIG. 9 is an alternate embodiment of the present invention wherein thesources of light for a display are contained within cavities defined bya light-carrying body;

FIG. 10 is a plan cross section view of the display of FIG. 9 takenthrough section lines 1010' of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is an alternate embodiment of the present invention comprising atapered light-carrying body;

FIG. 12 is a plan cross section view of the display of FIG. 11 takenthrough section line l212 of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a plan view of an alternate embodiment of the presentinvention wherein a border is illustrated around the periphery of amessage;

FIG. 14 is a plan cross section view of the display of FIG. 13 takenthrough section lines 14l4' of FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 illustrates still another embodiment of the present inventionwherein a halo effect is produced about a message ABC" and where abright border is displayed about a dark message XYZ;"

FIG. 16 is a plan cross section view of the display of FIG. 15 takenthrough section lines l6-16' of FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 illustrates a plurality of displays being illumi nated by asingle source of light;

FIG. 18 illustrates an embodiment of the present invention wherein acurved light-carrying body is illustrated;

FIG. 19 is a plan view of a plurality of panels displayingpatternsilluminated by a single source of light;

FIG. 20 is a cross section view of the display of FIG. 19 taken throughsection lines 20'-20 of FIG. 19;

FIG. 21 illustrates an elongated light source utilized to illuminate aplurality of panels; and

FIG. 22 illustrates an alternate embodiment of a message which may beutilized on the various displays described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION For a better understanding of someaspects of the present invention and for an understanding of the termsintimate contact" and remote contact as used herein, it will be helpfulto discuss certain phenomena described in conjunction with FIGS. la and1b and 2. In FIG. la, a plan view of a light-carrying body, panel 2, isillustrated along with a source of light, bulb 6. Panel 2 may be anylight-carrying member such as a plastic or glass member having agenerally rectangular shape while the source of light illustrated asbulb 6 may be any known source of light. In the manufacturing of anilluminated display, particularly one utilizing edge light, it isdesirous to confine the light flux with the light-carrying body such aspanel 2, and to direct the light from the body only at desired areas;for example, the light should be reflected from those areas which definea message and subsequently, refracted out of the body to the viewer. InFIG. In, two light beams emitted from bulb 6 are illustrated within body2. The outer edges of panel 2 are assumed to be polished edges whosenormals are indicated by lines 9. (Note the angle of refractionassociated with the light rays transmitted into the panel 2 has not beenindicated in order to simplify the diagram.) The angle of incidencebetween light rays 5 and the edges of panel 2 is a. The critical angleis defined as the angle whose sine is equal to the relative refractiveindex of the material comprising panel 2 and the material disposed aboutpanel 2, typically, air. For a light-carrying body of glass or plastic,the critical angle is approximately 42 degrees. By properly placing thebulb 6 relative to the panel 2, it is possible to have most of the lightflux from the source enter the panel 2 and be contained within thepanel.

It has been found that optimum results are achieved where the edges ofthe light-carrying body are selectively covered with diffuselyreflective material in intimate contact with certain portions of theedges. In the presently preferred embodiment, referring to FIG. la,after the edges have been highly polished, the diffusely reflectivematerial is applied to those edges where the angle a is less than thecritical angle for the material comprising the light-carrying body suchas shown by the light ray 5 which is striking the upper edge of panel 2.For those portions of the edges where the critical angle a is greaterthan the critical angle for the material such as shown by the light ray5 which is striking the lower edge of panel 2, no diffusely deflectivematerial is placed along the edges. This results in the optimumconditions for containing light within the body since the polished edgeswhere they may be used, are much more efficient than those portions ofthe edges which require the reflective material. Additionally, the edgesof the light-carrying body should be as perpendicular as possible to themajor surfaces of the body.

It is also desirous in the construction of an edge lighted display tohave all the light from the source of light striking the edge of thelight-carrying body to enter the body rather than being reflected awayfrom the body. In order for this to occur, the angle of incidence of thelight with the body must be less than the critical angle for thematerial comprising the body. In FIG. 1a, the normals to the edge of thebody adjacent to bulb 6 are lines 9. If the angle B, the angle ofincidence of rays 5 with panel 2, is less than the critical angle, therays 5 will enter panel 2 rather than being reflected away from thepanel. As will later be shown, the recognition of this phenomenonpermits the design of an edge of the light-carrying body which is moreefficient than a straight edge.

In FIG. 1b, panel 2 is illustrated having a viewing surface 3 and a rearsurface 8. A backing plate 4 is illustrated against surface 8 of panel2. Plate 4 may be any opaque material which is diffusely reflective.That is, material which does not transmit light but rather diffuselyreflects the light which is incident upon it. A cover 7 is illustratedcovering the plate 4. The covering is utilized for purposes ofdemonstrating certain phenomena, and serves the function of preventingambient light from striking plate 4.

Referring to FIG. 2, the abscissa 15 represents in one case the distanced between plate 4 and surface 8 of panel 2 and in another case, thepressure p (force for unit area) which is applied to the plate 4 whilethe plate is in contact with surface 8 of panel 2. The ordinate 10 ofthe graph represents the light intensity L" as seen from viewing surface3.

Curve 14 illustrates the effect of applying pressure on plate 4, on theintensity of light L. It is readily apparent from curve 14 that aspressure is applied to backing plate 4, the intensity of lightincreases, until the intensity reaches a level 16 after which anincrease in pressure 2 has little or no effect on the intensity L. Theregion in which an increase in pressure on plate 4 does not change theintensity of light L is defined herein as the region of intimatecontact. In this region, the plate 4 is in intimate contact with surface8. When this intimate contact is achieved, most of the light containedwithin panel 2, which strikes surface 8 is diffusely reflected fromsurface 8 and is then seen from the viewing surface 3. The conditions ofintimate contact may be achieved with or without the presence of cover 7on panel 2.

The condition of intimate contact which results in the optimumreflectance from surface 8 may be achieved by a number of methods. Wheresheets or strips of diffusely reflective material are utilized, as plate4, the intimate contact can be achieved by applying pressure directly tothe sheets or strips. The surface 8 should be absolutely clean anddevoid of any film before a strip or sheet is placed in intimate contactwith the surface 8. Also, care should be taken to avoid having any filmsor air pockets between the sheets or strips and the surface. Thecondition of intimate contact may also be achieved by silk-screening orsimilar processes wherein suitable opaque diffusely reflective paintsare used. The condition may also be achieved by applying suitable paintsto the surface 8 under a forced spray or by a vigorous brush action.However, any method of applying material to surface 8 which destroys thecontinuity of this surface is generally not acceptable. Included in thelatter catagory are such methods as sandblasting and etching or anyother method which physically alters or destroys the surface 8.

Assume that cover 7 is removed from panel 2 and that plate 4 is incontact with surface 8 of panel 2 but that no significant pressure isapplied to the plate. The intensity for this condition is illustrated bypoint 11 on axis 10 which shall hereinafter be referred to assubstantially pressureless contact or remote contact. As the plate 4 ismoved away from surface 8, as is represented by d on axis 15, theresultant intensity as seen by an observer of viewing surface 3 isillustrated by curve 13. It will be noted that as the backing 4 is movedaway from surface 8, the intensity L increases slightly to a maximumlevel and then decreases.

Curve 12 of FIG. 2 represents the same data as curve 13 except with thecover 7 placed on panel 2. The resultant intensity L" is slightly lessthan for curve 13, primarily due to the fact that cover 7 shieldssurface 8 of panel 2 from ambient light. Note that the starting pointfor curve 12 is also point 1 1, the point designated herein as remotecontact.

It is evident from curves l2, l3 and 14 and from experimental data thatnear optimum conditions for displaying messages on surface 8 is achievedwhere the material defining the message is in intimate contact withsurface 8 and where a backing material is utilized, generally ofcontrasting color, said backing material being in remote contact withsurface 8. As will be seen herein, the phenomenon described above may beutilized in an extremely useful manner to produce display of exceptionalperformance in terms of light efficiency, intensity, color, andcontrast.

Referring to FIG. 3, a display is illustrated which is displaying themessage ABC. A cross section of this display is illustrated in FIG. 4.Note that the components, particularly the message 19, spacer andbacking material 21 of FIG. 4, are not illustrated to scale but israther shown out of proportion in order to better illustrate itsrelationship with the entire display. The display comprises alight-carrying member which is of a general rectilinear configuration,panel 27. Panel 27 may be made of glass, acrylic, plastic materials orany other light transmitting material. For best efficiency, the lighttransmissability of panel 27 should be approximately equal in alldirections throughout the panel. Additionally, all surfaces of thepanel, including its edges, should be cleaned and polished before beingused. The

viewing surface 17 of panel 27 comprises a rectangular surface uponwhich the message is viewed. The opposite surface of panel 27, backsurface 18, is the surface upon which the message and backing materialare placed. The panel 27 is held within a generally rectilinear frame30. The frame 30 is suitable for containing the panel 27 and for rigidlyholding bulbs 24 and 26, adjacent to opposite edges of panel 27. Bulbs24 and 26 may be any source of light; the light from these bulbs enterpanel 27 in the same manner that the light from bulb 6 of FIG. I enteredpanel 2.

The message 19 comprising the letters ABC is affixed in intimate contactto the back surface 18 of panel 27. The message 19 may consist of anyopaque diffusely reflective material which may be brought into intimatecontact with surface 18. For example, message 19 may be applied bysilk-screening the letters to surface 18 with suitable paints, or byapplying thin diffusely reflected opaque tapes or sheets to the surface.

A spacing material such as spacers 20, is applied to the surface ofmessage 19 opposite surface 18. The spacers 20 may comprise tape whichis adhered to the message 19. As will be seen, it is preferable to usetape which has an adhesive surface on both sides since this will enablebacking material 21 to be readily adhered to the surface of the tapeopposite the message 19. Any other suitable spacer material may beutilized provided that it prevents backing sheet 21 from coming inintimate contact with surface 18. For example, a rectangular transparentsheet may be placed over the message 19 and be utilized as a spacerinstead of the individual spacers 20 illustrated in FIG. 4. It should benoted that if the message 19 is made of relatively thick material, thespacer 20 may not be required.

Backing material may be any opaque or translucent sheet which is broughtin contact with spacers 20. Typically, the backing material 21 will haveapproximately the same dimension as surface 18 of panel 27. In order tohave the optimum display condition, the backing material 21 should be inremote contact with surface 18 while the message 19 is in intimatecontact with the surface 18 where the terms intimate contact" and remotecontact are as defined above. In addition, the light from bulbs 24 and26 illustrated by light beams 22 and 23, respectively, should meet therequirements necessary to produce the total reflection within panel 2and the minimum amount of reflection of light entering the panel 2 asdiscussed in conjunction with FIG. 1a above. This may be accomplished byproper spacing between the bulbs 24 and 26 at the edges of the panel 27.Or, if necessary, two or more bulbs may be utilized along each of theedges of panel 27 in order to meet the requirements set forth above.

A filter 25 is illustrated within holder 35 adjacent to bulb 24 in FIG.3. Filter 25 may be any light filter which allows only a predeterminedcolor or groups of colors to pass through it. By utilizing light filtersin connection with the light sources utilized to illuminate the display,only light of predetermined colors is permitted to enter the panel 27.Thus, the display seen by an observer may be of any particularpredetermined color, by properly selecting the filter 25. It is alsopossible to use rotating cylindrical filters that enclose the source oflight such as filter 97 which is caused to rotate about its axis bymotor 98. These filters may comprise areas which filter differentcolors, thus allowing a continuously changing display.

To restrict the light within panel 27, a diffusely reflective materialis placed around the edges of the panel except where the light frombulbs 24 and 26 enter the panels and where the critical angle of thelight striking the edge of the body is greater than the critical anglefor the material comprising the body. This material may be in intimatecontact with the edges. The effect of this material is to cause lightreflecting from these edges to be reflected back into panel 27. Theremaining uncovered polished edges will relfect light back into thebody. Another technique to assure that a maximum amount of light remainswithin the panel 27 is to insure that the edges of the panel are trulyperpendicular relative to the surfaces 17 and 18 of the panel. Thisassures that the light reflecting from these edges will be reflectedback into the panel. Also, optimum contrast can be obtained between themessage and the backing material if they are properly selectedcontrasting colors.

It is also within the scope of the present invention to have a messagesuch as message 19, which does not appear to exist to the observerviewing surface 17 except at a predetermined time. For example, themessage may be made not to appear unless bulbs 24 and/or 26 wereilluminated. A filter is placed across the viewing surface 17 and themessage and backing material having little or no contrast are utilized.For example, a neutral density circular polarizing filter may be used,along with a white message and white backing material. With thecombination of the filter andlow contrasting message and backingmaterial, the message is only visible when the source of light isenergized. The ambient light which enters the viewing surface does notilluminate the message. This light is polarized when it enters thepanel; when this light is reflected from the message or backingmaterial, a change of phase in the light occurs which causes the lightto be blocked when it once again strikes the filter. Thus, ambient lightdoes not illuminate the message. The light from the source of lightilluminates the message since this light passes directly, through thefilter. With a white backing material, white message and white lightsource, the message appears in white with a dark gray background whenthe display is illuminated.

Referring to FIG. 5, an alternate embodiment of a display is illustratedwherein a single source of light, bulb 29, is utilized to illuminate atwo-sided display. It will be obvious to one of ordinary skill in theart, that any number of bulbs may be utilized with the presentembodiment of a two-sided display. The two displays are viewed onviewing surfaces 31 or panels 28. Panels 28 may be similar to panels 27discussed in conjunction with FIG. 3. The two messages to be viewed areplaced on the surfaces of panels 29 opposite the viewing surfaces 31.These messages are illustrated as messages 34 which are in intimatecontact with the panels 28. Spacers 33 are utilized in conjunction withthe messages 34 and the backing material 32 in a similar manner as werespacers 20 of FIGS. 3 and 4. A common backing mate rial 32, similar tobacking material 21 of FIGS. 3 and 4, which is in remote contact withthe panels 28 is also utilized. A frame 59 is used to contain theviewing panels 28 and the remainder of the display, including bulb 29.The bulb is held in a similar relative position to the edges of panels28 as are bulbs 24 and 26 held relative to panels 27, as illustrated inFIGS. 3 and 4. The method of construction of the embodiment of thedisplay illustrated in FIG. is similar to the display illustrated inFIGS. 3 and 4. With the use of this particular embodiment, it ispossible to have a display which may be viewed from two sides, each sidebeing capable of displaying a different message and using a common lightsource. The techniques utilized to obtain optimum efficiency and maximumcontrast, for the display of FIGS. 3 and 4, are likewise applicable tothe display of FIG. 5.

Referring briefly again to FIG. la, it was noted that in order for anoptimum amount of light from bulb 6 to enter panel 2, the angle B shouldbe less than the critical angle for the material comprising panel 2.FIGS. 6 through illustrated methods in which the edges of alight-carrying panel may be shaped in order to allow maximum amount oflight from a light source to enter a panel. The shaping of the edgesmakes these edges as normal as practical to the light from the source oflight used to illuminate the display. In FIGS. 6 and 7, a panel 37 isillustrated which is similar to panel 2 of FIG. 1 or panel 27 of FIGS. 3and 4. A light source, bulb 40, is shown disposed along one edge of thepanel. A window 36 having a shape similar to one-half of a hexagon isillustrated cut into the edge of panel 37. It is readily apparent fromFIG. 6 that the angle of incidence of light rays 41 upon panel 37 isgreatly reduced as a result of window 36. Thus, by properly shapingwindow 36, it is apparent that the angle discussed in conjunction withFIG. la may be reduced thus allowing the angle of incidence of the lightray 41 to be less than the critical angle and thus allowing more lightto enter the panel. FIG. 8 illustrates another edge configuration for apanel 38 comprising a semi-circular section 44 and its regularly shapededge sections 45. It is obvious that with this configuration, light rays43 radiating from bulb 42, strike panel 32 at an angle of incidence lessthan the angle of incidence that would exist if panel 38 had a straightedge. A reflector 39 is coupled to panel 38 and provides additionalefficiency from bulb 42 by reflecting light emitted from the bulb intopanel 38 as indicated by light rays 46. The configuration of the windowsutilized to more effectively capture the light from the light source bythe panel, may take any one of a plurality of configurations. Thegeneral shape of these windows may be designed utilizing themathematical tools set forth in the Fresnels equation.

Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, an alternate embodiment of the presentinvention is illustrated wherein the light sources are contained withinthe light-carrying body.

Message 69 comprising the letters XYZ is made of diffusely reflectivematerial which is placed in intimate contact with the surface oftransparent sheet 76 facing surface 73 of panel 70. A border 77 isplaced around the periphery of the message. This border preferablycomprises a very thin material such as a thick coat of paint which issubstantially transparent. An opaque, rectangular, diffusely reflectivesheet 78 which is larger than and encompasses the message 69 and border77 is placed in intimate contact with the surface of panel oppositesurface 73. With this structure a display is achieved wherein theletters XYZ are dark and are high-lighted by a brilliant border 77.

In FIG. 17, an embodiment of the present invention is illustratedwherein a single source of light, bulb 79, is utilized to illuminate aplurality of displays illustrated as signs 80. Each sign has one of itsedges disposed about the periphery of bulb 79. Thus, light from bulb 79enters each of the signs 80. Each sign 80 may be made in accordance withthe teachings of the present invention wherein each sign 80 comprises alightcarrying body and a message which is in intimate contact with thelight-carrying body and a suitable background material in remote contactwith the lightcarrying panel.

In FIG. 18, a light-carrying body 82 is illustrated wherein the body issubstantially curved or bent. A source of light, bulb 81, is placed atone edge of body 82. It has been found that the light from bulb 81 willsubstantially remain within light-carrying body 82 and hence, a messagedisplayed on body 82 will be evently illuminated. By tapering the panel54, such that is becomes thinner the further away it is from the sourceof light, a more uniform distribution of light is obtained on the panel.Thus, it is possible to use an elongated panel with a single source oflight, such as bulb 58, and still obtain a uniform illumination acrossthe entire display.

In FIGS. 13 and 14 still another embodiment of the present invention isillustrated wherein a contrasting band is displayed around the message.The display of these FIGURES comprises a light carrying body, panel 65,a source of light, bulb 60, a message 61 which is in intimate contactwith a surface of panel 65, spacers 64 and a backing material 62 whichare all similar in construction to the display of FIGS. 3 and 4. A band62 is affixed to backing material 63 such that it forms an overlappingband around message 61 when viewed from surface 66 of panel 65. Thematerial comprising band 62 may be any material which is contrasting tothe material comprising backing material 63. For example, band 62 may beof a different color than the color of backing material 63 or it mayhave different absorption qualities than material 63. Band 62, forexample, may absorb all the light incident on it while material 63 maybe diffusely reflected. Band 62 may be formed with a sheet or strip ofmaterial adhesively attached to backing material 63 or may be formed bypainting or silkscreened on material 63. The effect thus produced byband 62 is a remarkable message contrast of decisive esthetic valueReferring to FIGS. and 16, an alternate embodiment of the presentinvention is illustrated wherein a halo effect is achieved aroundmessage 68 and where a bright border 77 is produced around a darkmessage 69. A light carrying body, panel 70 and a bulb 67 is utilized inthis embodiment in the same manner the bulbs and panels have beenutilized in the previous embodiments.

A sub-message 74 comprising the letters ABC" is placed in intimatecontact with surface 73 of panel 70. This sub-message is made ofdiffusely reflective material and may be placed on surface 73 inaccordance with the teachings of this patent. A transparent viewingsheet 76 is placed over surface 73 of panel 70 with spacers 75 beingplaced between the sheet and the surface. Thus, the sheet 76 is inremote contact with surface 73 of the panel 70. Message 68 comprisingthe letters ABC which are slightly smaller in size than the sub-message74 are placed above the sub-message 74 on the side of the transparentsheet 76 which faces surface 73. The message 68 may be made of anyopaque material which may be adhered to transparent sheet 76. A backingmaterial 71, comprising a diffusely reflective material is disposedacross the surface of panel 70, opposite surface 73 and is held inremote contact with that surface by means of spacer 72. By utilizing themessage 68 on the transparent sheet 76 and by having sub-message 74 inintimate contact with the lightcarrying body, a halo effect is achievedaround the message ABC.

Message 69 comprising the letters XYZ is made of diffusely reflectivematerial which is placed in intimate contact with the surface oftransparent sheet 76 facing surface 73 of panel 70. A border 77 isplaced around the periphery of the message. This border preferablycomprises a very thin material such as a thin coat of paint which issubstantially transparent. An opaque, rectangular, diffusely reflectivesheet 78 which is larger than and encompasses the message 69 and border77 is placed in intimate contact with the surface of panel 70 oppositesurface 73. With this structure a display is achieved wherein theletters XYZ" are dark and are high-lighted by a brilliant border 77.

In FIG. 17, an embodiment of the present invention is illustratedwherein a single source of light, bulb 79, is utilized to illuminate aplurality of displays illustrated as signs 80. Each sign 80 has one ofits edges disposed about the periphery of bulb 79. Thus, light from bulb79 enters each of the signs 80. Each sign 80 may be made in accordancewith the teachings of the present invention wherein each sign 80comprises a lightcarrying body and a message which is in intimatecontact with the light-carrying body.

In FIG. 18, a light-carrying body 82 is illustrated wherein the body issubstantially curved. A source of light, bulb 81, is placed at one edgeof body 82. It has been found that the light from bulb 81 willsubstantially remain within light-carrying body 82 and hence, a messagedisplayed on body 82 will be evently illuminated. The message, such asthe word Exit" and the arrow shown in FIG. 18 may be placed on body 82in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.

FIGS. 19 and illustrate an embodiment of the present invention which isparticularly useful for a lighting panel such as one that would beplaced on a cepts of intimate contact and remote contact as definedceiling. A source of light comprising a bulb 83 is illustrated enclosedwithin a lens 84. The lens 84 may be any commonly utilized enclosure forcontaining a light bulb. Light-carrying bodies, such as panel 85, aredisposed horizontally about the periphery of bulb 83. These panels maybe substantially similar to the lightcarrying body, panel 27, discussedin conjunction with FIGS. 3 and 4. A message such as a decorativepattern 86 is placed in intimate contact with the surfaces 89 of panels85. A backing material 87 may be placed above the pattern 86 in the samemanner that backing material 21 is utilized in conjunction with FIGS. 3and 4. The resultant structures in addition to its esthetic value,directs light rays which would otherwise be lost downward from thepanels 85, thus more efficiently utilizing the light produced by bulb83.

FIG. 21 illustrates an embodiment of the present invention wherein anelongated source of light such as fluorescent tube 90 is utilized toilluminate two panels 91 which may be similar to panels 85 of FIGS. 18and 19 and simultaneously illuminate a display containing a message suchas panel 92. Panel 92 may be similar in construction to the displaysdiscussed in conjunction with FIGS. 3, 4 and 5.

With reference to the various messages utilized throughout the displaysdescribed herein, it has been found that the message appears to be morebrilliantly illuminated around its edges than within its center. Thus,by segmenting the message so that it in effect contains a greater numberof edges, the entire message appears more brilliant. In FIG. 22, amessage comprising the letter A is illustrated wherein a plurality ofslits 95 have been cut into the message. These slits increase the numberof edges in the message and hence, when the message is utilized asdescribed herein, a more uniform illumination of the message isachieved. This technique is particularly useful for larger messages andhas been found to be unnecessary where the message is relatively small.

Thus, numerous embodiments of the present invention have been describedwhich provide optimum displays through use of a light-carrying body, abacking material and a message by properly utilizing the conherein.

I claim:

I. An illuminated display comprising:

a light-carrying body comprising a material having a critical angle andhaving at least two opposite flat major surfaces and polished peripheraledges;

a message comprising a diffusely reflective material in intimate contactwith one of said opposite surfaces of said body;

a backing material in substantially pressureless contact with said oneof said opposite surfaces of said body.

a source of light disposed adjacent to one of said peripheral edges suchthat light enters the body and is transmitted within said body;

a reflective material in intimate contact with only those sections ofsaid peripheral edges where the angle of incidence along said edges forlight from said source of light entering said body and striking saidedges is less than approximately said critical angle;

whereby substantially all of the light entering said body will remain insaid body since it willbe reflected from either the polished edges orthe reflective material thereby resulting in an unusually brilliantdisplay.

2. The display defined in claim 1 wherein said surfaces of said body arerectangular in shape and substantially perpendicular to said edges.

3. The display defined in claim 2 wherein a light filter is disposedbetween said source of light and said body such that light from saidsource of light is filtered before entering said body.

4. The display defined in claim 2 wherein said color of said backingmaterial and said message are such as to produce a contrast.

5. The display defined in claim 2 wherein the edges of said bodyadjacent to a source of light are irregularly shaped such that lightfrom said source striking said edge is relatively normal to said edge.

6. The display defined in claim 2 wherein said body is tapered and thesource of light is adjacent to the widest edge of said body.

7. The display defined in claim 1 wherein a border is disposed about theperiphery of said message, said border being coupled to said backingmaterial and being contrasting in color to said backing material.

8. The display defined in claim 1 wherein said message contains aplurality of slits forming apertures through which light may pass.

9. The display defined in claim 1 wherein said source of light isdisposed within a cavity defined by said body.

1. An illuminated display comprising: a light-carrying body comprising amaterial having a critical angle and having at least two opposite flatmajor surfaces and polished peripheral edges; a message comprising adiffusely reflective material in intimate contact with one of saidopposite surfaces of said body; a backing material in substantiallypressureless contact with said one of said opposite surfaces of saidbody. a source of light disposed adjacent to one of said peripheraledges such that light enters the body and is transmitted within saidbody; a reflective material in intimate contact with only thosE sectionsof said peripheral edges where the angle of incidence along said edgesfor light from said source of light entering said body and striking saidedges is less than approximately said critical angle; wherebysubstantially all of the light entering said body will remain in saidbody since it will be reflected from either the polished edges or thereflective material thereby resulting in an unusually brilliant display.2. The display defined in claim 1 wherein said surfaces of said body arerectangular in shape and substantially perpendicular to said edges. 3.The display defined in claim 2 wherein a light filter is disposedbetween said source of light and said body such that light from saidsource of light is filtered before entering said body.
 4. The displaydefined in claim 2 wherein said color of said backing material and saidmessage are such as to produce a contrast.
 5. The display defined inclaim 2 wherein the edges of said body adjacent to a source of light areirregularly shaped such that light from said source striking said edgeis relatively normal to said edge.
 6. The display defined in claim 2wherein said body is tapered and the source of light is adjacent to thewidest edge of said body.
 7. The display defined in claim 1 wherein aborder is disposed about the periphery of said message, said borderbeing coupled to said backing material and being contrasting in color tosaid backing material.
 8. The display defined in claim 1 wherein saidmessage contains a plurality of slits forming apertures through whichlight may pass.
 9. The display defined in claim 1 wherein said source oflight is disposed within a cavity defined by said body.